Take Heart

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

It is said that as the delegation left the Constitutional Convention, someone asked Ben Franklin, "Well doctor, can you tell us what we've got? A republic or a monarchy?" Ben Franklin responded, "A republic, if you can keep it." Read here for the actual account. 

I am, as a student of history, fascinated with the Revolution, the establishment of our republic, and the expansion westward. I love all accounts on it, including Ken Burns most recent account called "The American Revolution" which aired recently. As I said to a friend the other day, I pour over books about them in great detail, reading slowly (or viewing slowly), looking at foot notes, looking up information, and watching and replaying certain footage of the show or documentary.

I loved, LOVED, David McCullough's "1776" which led to "John Adams," played exceptionally well by Paul Giamatti. I've listened to the book on two occasions and watched and rewatched the DVD I purchased on Adams. (I have read, listened to and watched many documentaries on this, not just this one.)

What do I find most fascinating about this period that it should hold my attention? The fact that it is, in my humble opinion, a crowning achievement that dates to philosophical conversations all the way back to early Greece and moves forward along a continuum. The opportunity to form a country from scratch, with the ideals and best hopes from generations past, is a once-in-history opportunity. This notion of a blank slate (tabula rasa) was written about by Aristotle (in Greek, the "unwritten tablet") and John Locke, whose philosophical writing on the Treatise of Government 1&2 impacted Jefferson's "Declaration of Independence." It presents our best hopes as mankind and our greatest ideals.

And yet, with all that promise, we still have not achieved a lasting peace within our being, as individuals living in such a promising nation or as a nation as a whole. We've still had wars, including a considerably large and violent civil war. We've had civil disputes which have led to civil unrest such as riots, loss of life, and destruction of property, like the 1960s and recent current events in my lifetime. We've had wars and rumors of wars, abuse of power at all levels of government, and crime within our nation that is considerably high at times. Dialogue turns to debate which turns to argument and threats of violence as citizens draw lines and say one side is right over the other. Man is violent and peace is hard to find during out time in this world, even when we can found a country on the best of ideals.

So, as Pastor read the passage at the start in our elder's meeting Wednesday of this week, I heard Christ's words loud and clear: "In the world, you will have tribulation," Pastor noted the phrase, "Take heart." The reference notes in this phrase, as Pastor discussed it, reflect other passages such as Isaiah 35:4, 

"Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”

The question to answer is, "Where do you go to find peace?" As Peter asked in an answer to Christ, who was asking if the 12 wanted to leave him as did others, "68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6)

Where do we go to find peace? Peter tells us in his question asked and answered: Christ, the Holy One of God, has the words of eternal life.

God commands us throughout scripture not to let the tribulations of this world trouble us. "Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9). 

We also read in Matthew: "8Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:8, 29-30).

So, again, what kind of peace do we seek? Peace that quiets our minds with the problems of this world, or eternal peace between us and God, reconciled through his Son Jesus Christ?

Pray with me: Lord, you have the words of eternal life that bring us true and lasting peace. Help us to quiet our troubled hearts and to take heart and remember that you are true peace and give us true peace through faith in your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.